12 Best Protein Bars for Candy Lovers

With a candy-inspired protein bar, you'll never have to choose between your sweet tooth and a flat belly again!

By
Dana Leigh Smith

December 20, 2016

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12 Best Protein Bars for Candy Lovers

With a candy-inspired protein bar, you'll never have to choose between your sweet tooth and a flat belly again!

ByDana Leigh SmithDecember 20, 2016

It’s all too common that the terms “protein bar” and “candy bar” are used in the same sentence. And that’s because, more often than not, the post-gym snack carries globs of sugar and tons of chemicals—just like the average candy store treat. But every now and again, you hear the two terms used together in a far more positive way. Like the time my friend bit into a KIND bar, immediately proclaimed that it reminded her of an Almond Joy, and then returned to the store to buy more.

Thankfully, KIND isn’t the only protein bar manufacturer that knows Americans—even those trying to dial back on sugar and junk food—love candy. A number of different packaged food purveyors have created healthy protein bars that are reminiscent of all sorts of different sweet treats. Have an affinity for a particular candy? Scroll through our protein bar picks to find out which bar is sure to make your taste buds swoon. And if you like to add protein to your smoothies and meals via powder, don’t miss our exclusive report on The Best and Worst Protein Powders!

1

RX Bar Mint Chocolate Chip

If you love the combination of cool, refreshing peppermint and decadent dark chocolate, you’re sure to be a fan of this mint chocolate chip bar by Rx. Made with a combination of dates, egg whites, nuts, cacao, peppermint oil, and sea salt, it’s impossible to go wrong with this reduced sugar choice.

KIND Dark Chocolate Almond & Coconut

Unlike an Almond Joy, which carries over 20 grams of added sugar, this delightfully coconutty KIND bar only packs 9 grams of added sugar. The additional 3 grams you see listed on the nutrition panel above is the naturally-occurring variety from the coconut. For even more ways to dial back on your intake of the sweet stuff, don’t miss our report on 30 Easy Ways to Stop Eating So Much Sugar.

ALOHA Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bar

There’s something about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter that can’t be beaten. While both ingredients—when made right—are genuinely wholesome, that’s hardly ever the case in the candy aisle. That’s why we’re such big fans of this fiber-packed snack by Aloha. It relies on peanuts, pumpkin seed protein, cacao nibs, and vanilla bean extract to craft it’s smooth and addictive flavor. And better yet, doesn’t let any junky stuff inside the wrapper.

ThinkThin White Chocolate Protein Nut Bar

Since white chocolate doesn’t contain any cocoa solids, it’s isn’t technically chocolate. Which means it’s void of the antioxidants that make the dark variety so heart healthy. (Cue the groans!) We’re a fan of this bar, though, because the white creamy chocolate you love and cherish joins together with filling, heart-protective nuts like almonds (one of these 40 Things Healthy Cooks Always Have in Their Kitchen), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts—making it a snack we actually get behind.

Lärabar Crunchy Nut & Seed Dark Chocolate Almond

If you love chocolate covered almonds and peanuts but find them near-impossible to eat in moderation, this is the perfect protein bar for you! Made with almonds, honey, chia seeds, cacao, coconut and just a handful of additional clean ingredients, there’s no doubt in our minds that it deserves the Eat This stamp of approval!

Snag them from a Target store near you.

6

KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt

A number of candy bars combine caramel and nuts, but none do it better than Snickers; it’s without a doubt the most delicious of the lot. But clocking in at 250 calories and 27 grams of sugar it’s also among the most waist-widening. To save 50 calories and 22 grams of the sweet stuff, opt for this fiber- and protein-stacked KIND bar, instead. Somehow, they manage to make a low-sugar snack taste more naughty than nice—which is why it’s an ETNT staff favorite.

Go Raw Sprouted Grow Zesty Lemon Bars

Hard candies and gummies are basically all sugar, so to say this organic protein bar is a step up from those treats is a major understatement. Made with sprouted watermelon seeds, dates, coconut nectar, vanilla extract, sea salt, rosemary extract, as well as lemon oil and peel, this superfood-rich snack will give you the tangy yet fruity flavor you crave—without throwing your diet efforts to the wind.

Perfect Bar Coconut Peanut Butter

If you’re a fan of the old school Zagnut and all of its toasted coconut and peanut buttery goodness, you’ll go gaga for this oh-so-perfect Perfect Bar. Sure, it’s a bit on the caloric side, but it serves up 20 percent of the day’s magnesium and 15 percent of the day’s calcium. Not to mention, they contain healthy ingredients ranging from typical things like peanut butter, honey, and rice protein to the less run-of-the-mill like kale, tomato, and even kelp! While the mixture may seem a bit peculiar, we can assure you the resulting flavor is one you’ll love. Nibble on half a bar as a snack or down the entire thing if you’re in need of a meal replacement.

ALOHA Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bar

Made from sugar, butter, and cream, the average piece of fudge won’t do your waistline any favors. This protein bar, on the other hand, is lean enough to eat on the daily. It’s a touch higher in sugar than we’d like to see, but its high fiber and protein content more than make up for it.

Lärabar Bites Mint Chocolate Truffle

Okay, okay, we know these technically aren’t protein bars, but these little decadent protein balls from Lära are far too cute—not to mention, tasty—to not include. Like Andes Mints, these little guys combine the flavors of mint and chocolate. But unlike your fave white sugar-infused candy, the bulk of the sugar you’re getting is from fiber-dense dates, which make up the bulk of the recipe.

Quest Bar Protein Bar, Cookies & Cream

While we’re not huge fans of foods that get their sweetness from zero-calorie sources, two of the primary ones used by Quest (stevia and erythritol) are far better than things like aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. To make this bar extra ooey-gooey and melty, take it out of the wrapper and pop it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before devouring it! We think you’ll agree that your beloved cookies ‘n’ cream bar has finally met its match.

Simply Protein Chocolate Caramel

Digging into this bar instead of a Twix will save you 100 calories and 23 grams of sugar; that’s the equivalent of nearly six sugar cubes! The only downside is that this bar contains soy protein isolate, which when consumed in excess can expose you to potentially dangerous things like hexane and aluminum. For that reason, think of this protein bar as a “sometimes” treat that can help you overcome an intense candy bar craving and not an everyday go-to. And speaking of cravings, don’t miss our special report, 30 Guilt-Free Snacks for Your Biggest Cravings.